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Pre-Authorized Remittance Program
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have automatic debits from your bank account to pay for insurance, cable TV, taxes,
fuel, or a mortgage, then you understand the principle. It means regular contributions
throughout the year.
The program is a "direct debit" program that allows people to support Christ Church through
an automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank account. The Diocese of Ottawa has made
arrangements with the United Church of Canada (UCC) to use their program, which they
call the Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) program. Once a month all PAR givings are
debited from givers accounts and then the total, less a service fee, is electronically
transferred to Christ Church’s account. The giver is credited with the full amount of
their remittance.
What are the benefits of PAR? - The PAR system was developed to help parishes regulate their income. A number of our
members are away for the summer or the winter; this helps them to keep their commitment
without having to "catch up" on their givings. Many parishes in the Diocese of Ottawa
including those in the Outaouais are on this program. The United Church of Canada
itself as well over 30,000 people in 1200 congregations using this program.
What do we need in order to start? - You need to complete an Authorization Form and
give it to us with a voided cheque. We will send to the United Church coordinator to enroll you. Enrollment takes less
than a month to become effective.
When are the transactions processed? - If the information mentioned above is
received by the United Church by the 10th of the month you will be on PAR for that
month. Your start date will be confirmed.
The debits from individual accounts and the lump sum credits to the church’s account
happen on the 20th of each month (or the next business day if the 20th falls on a
weekend). This date is not variable.
How much does PAR cost us? - The PAR program costs the parish 50¢ per giver,
per month up to $45 (90 or more people), which is deducted at the time of transfer.
This helps to defray administrative costs incurred by the United Church. Individuals
will have to pay the normal chequing/debit fees to their local bank or credit union,
if there are any.
How is the Parish kept up-to-date about the givings? - A monthly print-out is sent
to our Envelope Secretary. These reports are produced by the UCC on the day the
information is sent to the bank (generally the 15th of each month). The totals from
this report will be compared to our bank statement by the Treasurer to ensure that
the amount shown on the print-out is the amount that has been credited to the our
bank account.
How are NSF debits dealt with? - Because the debits and credits happen at the same
time, the parish will already have received credit for money that may not be in the
giver's account. In these instances, the individual giver's record is suspended until
the UCC is advised by us as to what is to be done. The records are also marked so that,
in the following month, the United Church will deduct the amount from the monies
forwarded to the parish. The parish will follow up with the individual giver about
recovering the money and fees and whether or not they wish to continue using the PAR
program to support the parish.
What do we do about parishioners who feel uncomfortable about not putting something on
the offering plate?
- We supply small cards for them to use. The cards are printed with the words:
"My offering has been given by Pre-Authorized Remittance". They will be recycled from
the offering plate and kept at the back of the church for people to pick up each
Sunday.
Who is responsible for tax receipts? - The parish still does the tax receipts.
A print-out is sent each month for record-keeping purposes and will be provided to
the Envelope Secretary. Each giver will be credited with the full amount of their
contributions.
Ralph Sprague
(819-778-1905)
PAR Coordinator
Christ Church, Aylmer
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